Dear Abandonia visitors: We are a small team that runs one of the largest DOS Games websites in the world. We have only 3 members of staff, but serve 450,000 users and have outgoing costs like any other top site for example: our servers, power, rent, programs, and staff. Abandonia is something special. It is a library of old games for you to download. It is like an old gaming arcade with all the old games in their original format. Abandonia is a place where you can find great old games and have fun four hours and years. To protect our independence, we are dependent of our friends using the site. We run on donations averaging around 6 USD (5 Euro). If everyone reading this gave the price of a cup of coffee, our fundraiser would be made easier. If Abandonia is useful to you, take one minute to keep it online for another year. Please help us forget fundraising and get back to Abandonia.

When Abandonia was founded it was to collect and present all old games where the copyright protection had been abandoned, hence the term ’abandonware’ and the site name Abandonia.com. We are still doing our best to keep the site open and free and will appreciate your support to help it stay that way.

&dash; Thank you from the Abandonia Team

We are trying to make it easy for people in every country to donate. Please let us know how we could make it easier for you.

In 1888, in the East End of London, the infamous Jack the Ripper baffled the police and terrified the city with his brutal murders. The Ripper was never caught, and the Ripper Murders have never been solved. You have a chance to do what Scotland Yard, the press, and dozens of books have never been able to do: bring Jack the Ripper to justice.

This game is the ultimate challenge for a desktop detective, as you chase the Ripper through London's East End. From the dark and foreboding cemetery to the Tower of London, you will question dozens of witnesses (and suspects) and examine vital evidence, each bringing you a step closer to the murderer. At Scotland Yard you can sift through the evidence, and then from the comfort of your private study you can compare your notes and unravel the crime. The clock is always ticking, and every minute either brings you closer to solving the case or pulls the Ripper further away from your clutches.

Jack the Ripper is a challenging game that could definitely give your detective skills a challenge that is uncommon in many games. The background scenery looks excellent and gives this game a dark and sinister atmosphere that is very fitting. Amateur detectives, true-crime readers, and mystery lovers can enjoy and appreciate this game for its depth and excellent storyline. These same factors can make it frustrating for gamers that are used to a more interactive and action-oriented gaming style, though.

While the background pictures are detailed and provide a good atmosphere, the lack of sound and music brings a small note of disappointment. While more of it could have added to the feel of the game, the lack of it does not take too much away.

The game involves a lot of reading and sifting through your notes, which can be daunting and intimidating. It requires a bit of good logical thinking as well as a lot of true detective skills.

The suspects do not just stand around and wait for you to question them; rather, they tend to leave the scene and wander around the city if you don't question them right away, and a lot of clues can lead to dead ends. You literally will watch your minutes pass, and you'll have to follow the best leads in the time that you have.

Movement from place to place within the East End, as well as investigation of all the locations, is handled through the use of your mouse and certain letter keys which are highlighted in the game's menus. You can also scroll through the various witnesses to question them on their whereabouts, as well as make notations in your notebook with a quick double click on the appropriate text. This may take a little while to get used to, but it can quickly become second nature.

Jack the Ripper has three levels of difficulty and a tutorial, which I would recommend for any new player to help learn the interface and workings of the game. Good luck to you, detective, and hurry - the clock is ticking.